University of Minnesota Athletics
No Place Like Home: Junior Lawrence McKenzie
1/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
McKenzie was a key contributor for the Sooners the last two seasons, including helping them to the Big 12 Championship last year. He averaged 9.5 points a game in 2004-05 and ranked second in the Big 12 Conference in three-point shooting at 43.6 percent for the season.
Despite all the success he had at Oklahoma, McKenzie decided to return to Minnesota to complete his final two years of eligibility. “When it came down to it, and talking with Coach Monson about what I wanted to do and what I want to achieve in my college career, I felt like this was the best place to finish my career,” McKenzie said. McKenzie learned a lot during his two years away from home. He said the biggest thing he took away from his experience at Oklahoma is always working hard and playing hard, things he now tries to bring to practice every day at Williams Arena.
Due to NCAA transfer rules, McKenzie will not be able to participate in games this season, which he admits is extremely difficult. “It’s tough sitting out and having to watch the games from the bench,” he said. “But I know it will be well worth it next year.”
In the meantime, McKenzie is focused on doing everything he possibly can to become a better basketball player. “I’m just going to work on the stuff I need to work on,” he stated. “And just improving, I want to take the whole year to improve on everything.” Minnesota assistant coach Vic Couch said McKenzie will see a lot of time at point guard next season, so he will be relied upon to play solid defense and make good decisions while handling the ball.
McKenzie’s development will be aided by playing against three very talented and experienced seniors in the backcourt in Adam Boone, Vincent Grier and Moe Hargrow. McKenzie knows facing those guys every day in practice will be nothing but beneficial. “It’s fun going against those guys every day in practice because you know you’re playing against some of the best guys,” he commented. “So when I get out on the court in a game it will be much easier. Competing against those guys has taught me a lot.”
With the graduation of the three leaders following this season, some might expect less production from the guards next year. However, McKenzie is up for the challenge and is confident he and his fellow teammates will be able to pick up right where the seniors leave off. McKenzie and teammate Rico Tucker will provide the Gophers with versatility in the backcourt and will be expected to carry much of the load next season.
Couch said that even with the loss of the three seniors following this season he believes next year’s guards can be just as effective. “We will be different next year,” he said. “We won’t have the size we have this year, but we will be more of a perimeter team, with guys like Lawrence and Rico who have the ability to make shots from long range and are very quick and athletic.”
McKenzie expects big things in the Gophers future and knows he and his teammates will do whatever it takes to be successful. “All the young guys are willing to work to get better,” he said. “That’s what it takes is a team that’s willing to get better. You don’t have to have the best guys if you’re willing to work hard and do whatever it takes to win.” “I’ve always been a winner,” McKenzie added. “So when I’m out there on the court I always think I am going to win.”
McKenzie’s winning attitude has stemmed from all the success he has had in the past. Couch believes this will allow him to become a valuable leader for the Gophers. “He is a very vocal player. He is very astute and has a great understanding of the game,” Couch said. “He came from a program that nurtured him to be a leader, and that’s what we’re expecting from him here.”
Lawrence’s father, Larry, agreed. “Lawrence is a winner, so I think he’s going to be a guy who encourages his teammates and all of those kinds of things,” he said. “And certainly with the diversity of his game, his ability to knock down the long shot and get to the hole and those kinds of things, I think those are the opportunities the Gophers are going to give him and the opportunities he looks forward to.”
Couch described McKenzie as a cold-blooded shooter. “He can shoot in any arena and has shown the ability to make big shots,” Couch stated. “And his athletic ability and ability to play both the point guard and shooting guard will make us very flexible and versatile in the things we can do.”
McKenzie said he will do whatever the coaches ask of him. He just wants to play basketball, and he will do anything and everything to become the best player he can be. McKenzie’s determination to excel on the basketball court started at an early age. Since he started playing the game around the third grade he was always going up against older kids who were bigger and stronger than him. Despite what he lacked in terms of physical presence, Lawrence was able to be effective because of his competitive nature, a pure love of the game and an unwavering confidence in his ability.
Larry McKenzie realized early on that his son had a chance to be a special player, and while he served as his son’s coach growing up and throughout high school, he never treated his son any different or pushed him any harder than any of his other players.
“Lawrence has always been a gym rat,” he commented. “His mom always used to have to tell him not to dribble the ball in the house, and she finally got tired of telling him and just gave up on it. He just always wanted to be in the gym, so I never had to push him in that regard.”
All the time they shared together and all the success they enjoyed at Patrick Henry was a special experience for both father and son. Lawrence described his father as the most influential person in his life. “He’s been a constant role model for me,” he said. “He’s been around more than a lot of fathers are. It’s not often that you get to have your father as your coach. I’m excited that he will get to come and watch a lot of my games.”
Lawrence is without question looking forward to the opportunity to play in front of the hometown crowd once again. “It means a lot to be at home and get a chance to play in front of family and friends and people that know your background. Going away gave me time to really think about it,” he stated. “And people who are excited to see you off the court, it’s just great. You’re more confident because you have people in the crowd watching you that you know support you. I’m really excited about next year.”
Minnesota’s coaching staff is excited as well. Couch said McKenzie has the potential to become an All-Big Ten performer. If history is any indication, he can be expected to put up big numbers in the years to come with family being present at every game.
McKenzie has always seemed to have his best games when his family is in attendance. “When he was at Oklahoma, one of things Coach Sampson always joked about is that Lawrence played his best games in front of family,” the elder McKenzie said. “The best game in his college career was at Nebraska, and his mom and I were sitting right there in the front row. All of his best games were ones that we were in attendance. I just think he turns up the energy a bit when we’re present.”
While a career game can’t be expected every time out, Larry McKenzie says the sky is the limit for his son. “It all depends on how hard he wants to work,” he said.
McKenzie is committed to working hard and taking this year to improve on all areas of his game. He believes the program can accomplish big things in the next couple of years and is excited to step on the floor of Williams Arena next year with all of his family in attendance.
Through everywhere life has taken him the last two years, Lawrence McKenzie realizes there truly is no place like home.
story by Tory Kukowski, athletic communications student assistant It was March 2003 and life could not get much better for Lawrence McKenzie. He had just led Minneapolis Patrick Henry to its fourth consecutive Minnesota Class AAA State Championship, and scholarship offers were pouring in from around the country. McKenzie decided to follow in the footsteps of his former teammate Johnny Gilbert and play for coach Kelvin Sampson and the Oklahoma Sooners.
McKenzie was a key contributor for the Sooners the last two seasons, including helping them to the Big 12 Championship last year. He averaged 9.5 points a game in 2004-05 and ranked second in the Big 12 Conference in three-point shooting at 43.6 percent for the season.
Despite all the success he had at Oklahoma, McKenzie decided to return to Minnesota to complete his final two years of eligibility. “When it came down to it, and talking with Coach Monson about what I wanted to do and what I want to achieve in my college career, I felt like this was the best place to finish my career,” McKenzie said. McKenzie learned a lot during his two years away from home. He said the biggest thing he took away from his experience at Oklahoma is always working hard and playing hard, things he now tries to bring to practice every day at Williams Arena.
Due to NCAA transfer rules, McKenzie will not be able to participate in games this season, which he admits is extremely difficult. “It’s tough sitting out and having to watch the games from the bench,” he said. “But I know it will be well worth it next year.”
In the meantime, McKenzie is focused on doing everything he possibly can to become a better basketball player. “I’m just going to work on the stuff I need to work on,” he stated. “And just improving, I want to take the whole year to improve on everything.” Minnesota assistant coach Vic Couch said McKenzie will see a lot of time at point guard next season, so he will be relied upon to play solid defense and make good decisions while handling the ball.
McKenzie’s development will be aided by playing against three very talented and experienced seniors in the backcourt in Adam Boone, Vincent Grier and Moe Hargrow. McKenzie knows facing those guys every day in practice will be nothing but beneficial. “It’s fun going against those guys every day in practice because you know you’re playing against some of the best guys,” he commented. “So when I get out on the court in a game it will be much easier. Competing against those guys has taught me a lot.”
With the graduation of the three leaders following this season, some might expect less production from the guards next year. However, McKenzie is up for the challenge and is confident he and his fellow teammates will be able to pick up right where the seniors leave off. McKenzie and teammate Rico Tucker will provide the Gophers with versatility in the backcourt and will be expected to carry much of the load next season.
Couch said that even with the loss of the three seniors following this season he believes next year’s guards can be just as effective. “We will be different next year,” he said. “We won’t have the size we have this year, but we will be more of a perimeter team, with guys like Lawrence and Rico who have the ability to make shots from long range and are very quick and athletic.”
McKenzie expects big things in the Gophers future and knows he and his teammates will do whatever it takes to be successful. “All the young guys are willing to work to get better,” he said. “That’s what it takes is a team that’s willing to get better. You don’t have to have the best guys if you’re willing to work hard and do whatever it takes to win.” “I’ve always been a winner,” McKenzie added. “So when I’m out there on the court I always think I am going to win.”
McKenzie’s winning attitude has stemmed from all the success he has had in the past. Couch believes this will allow him to become a valuable leader for the Gophers. “He is a very vocal player. He is very astute and has a great understanding of the game,” Couch said. “He came from a program that nurtured him to be a leader, and that’s what we’re expecting from him here.”
Lawrence’s father, Larry, agreed. “Lawrence is a winner, so I think he’s going to be a guy who encourages his teammates and all of those kinds of things,” he said. “And certainly with the diversity of his game, his ability to knock down the long shot and get to the hole and those kinds of things, I think those are the opportunities the Gophers are going to give him and the opportunities he looks forward to.”
Couch described McKenzie as a cold-blooded shooter. “He can shoot in any arena and has shown the ability to make big shots,” Couch stated. “And his athletic ability and ability to play both the point guard and shooting guard will make us very flexible and versatile in the things we can do.”
McKenzie said he will do whatever the coaches ask of him. He just wants to play basketball, and he will do anything and everything to become the best player he can be. McKenzie’s determination to excel on the basketball court started at an early age. Since he started playing the game around the third grade he was always going up against older kids who were bigger and stronger than him. Despite what he lacked in terms of physical presence, Lawrence was able to be effective because of his competitive nature, a pure love of the game and an unwavering confidence in his ability.
Larry McKenzie realized early on that his son had a chance to be a special player, and while he served as his son’s coach growing up and throughout high school, he never treated his son any different or pushed him any harder than any of his other players.
“Lawrence has always been a gym rat,” he commented. “His mom always used to have to tell him not to dribble the ball in the house, and she finally got tired of telling him and just gave up on it. He just always wanted to be in the gym, so I never had to push him in that regard.”
All the time they shared together and all the success they enjoyed at Patrick Henry was a special experience for both father and son. Lawrence described his father as the most influential person in his life. “He’s been a constant role model for me,” he said. “He’s been around more than a lot of fathers are. It’s not often that you get to have your father as your coach. I’m excited that he will get to come and watch a lot of my games.”
Lawrence is without question looking forward to the opportunity to play in front of the hometown crowd once again. “It means a lot to be at home and get a chance to play in front of family and friends and people that know your background. Going away gave me time to really think about it,” he stated. “And people who are excited to see you off the court, it’s just great. You’re more confident because you have people in the crowd watching you that you know support you. I’m really excited about next year.”
Minnesota’s coaching staff is excited as well. Couch said McKenzie has the potential to become an All-Big Ten performer. If history is any indication, he can be expected to put up big numbers in the years to come with family being present at every game.
McKenzie has always seemed to have his best games when his family is in attendance. “When he was at Oklahoma, one of things Coach Sampson always joked about is that Lawrence played his best games in front of family,” the elder McKenzie said. “The best game in his college career was at Nebraska, and his mom and I were sitting right there in the front row. All of his best games were ones that we were in attendance. I just think he turns up the energy a bit when we’re present.”
While a career game can’t be expected every time out, Larry McKenzie says the sky is the limit for his son. “It all depends on how hard he wants to work,” he said.
McKenzie is committed to working hard and taking this year to improve on all areas of his game. He believes the program can accomplish big things in the next couple of years and is excited to step on the floor of Williams Arena next year with all of his family in attendance.
Through everywhere life has taken him the last two years, Lawrence McKenzie realizes there truly is no place like home.
story by Tory Kukowski, athletic communications student assistant
